Halloween 2013

My feelings and perspective on many things have flipped in the past year, including Halloween. Still didn't want my kids to over-indulge in candy but did want to encourage their creativity and fun. Everyone got to chose anything they wanted to be, no constraints on a unifying theme or only re-using items from the dress-up box.

David fell absolutely in love with the Punk Skeleton costume he spied at WalMart, which he called a "cary kelitin."

Charlie wanted to be a super hero, so I suggested we make him some muscles to wear under his Batman pajamas, and found an awesome mask and gloves online to complete the look.

Samuel looked on the same website and chose the wizard costume.

Isaac decided he didn't want to dress up at all. He helped me pass out candy at the door while Mark walked his brothers around the neighborhood. David came home after just our street. He was cold and thought he had plenty of treats already - about 8, ha!

Autumn Leaves!

Last year we completely missed the second coolest thing about our backyard: the leaves on our huge Box Elder tree changing color and falling. When Charlie had his accident they had only just begun yellowing and by the time we came home time and weather and rendered the tree barren. Also, our house is going on the market this winter, so we are experiencing our last autumn here. This tree is undoubtedly one of my favorite things about our home. There was something extra nostalgic about watching the season happen this year in our little corner of the world.

We actually had two or three separate leaf raking/jumping parties, plus cleaned up the back porch (especially sandbox) for winter, and Mark fixed the sprinkler valves. He had trouble getting them to blow out and ended up discovering some sea shells blocking on of the valves!

Though size has it's advantages when it comes to playing in the leaves, clearly Isaac enjoyed himself. And so did I, watching them.

Aquarium in Idaho?!

Yeah, so I was pretty surprised to learn just this past year that there is an aquarium in Boise, the Idaho Aquarium. I saw a homeschooling mom or two post about taking her kids, even raving about it, so figured we better check it out. We did so after one of Isaac's Boise-located soccer matches. I was skeptical when we got there. I mean, how could a tiny warehouse between the mall and a car dealership be all that awesome? And it was pretty expensive! But, to support local business and see what was interesting and unique, we went ahead with our plan. I'm glad we did.

The coolest thing to me was how much was touchable. The typical tidepool stuff like starfish, but also the rays (we got to feed them, for extra $), and lizards (at an aquarium?). There was also an interesting live mangrove display.

I wouldn't go back as often as, say, the zoo but I would go back if we were studying something that could be reinforced by another visit. It's was a fun family activity.

The Other Stuff in August

I haven't written much about it, but I finally started practicing yoga this year and loved it as much or more than I expected to. There are as many styles of yoga as there are instructors however, and I was spoiled to have my dear friend Allison as my guide from the start. I'd already bonded with her through church activity when I began attending her classes, but the spirit during her practice made us closer still. Sad for me that her husband Brett (also my friend, fellow yogi and concert attendee) was hired for a better position in a school district far north of here, causing their family to move in August.

Here is the photo a friend snapped after our last yoga class together. I mailed a letter to officially cancel my gym membership after that but, of all the crazy things, I won the random drawing (held the day before my letter arrived) for a free year! So I occasionally attend the yoga classes offered by the replacement instructor, but I am far less impressed with her style and generally practice at home instead. Miss you, Ali!!

Once again (third year now, I think) I took all the "cousins" (my children + nieces & nephews) portraits for display at Grandma's house. I really enjoy the project even though it can be difficult to get all 29 children in a well-lit, happy, naturally posed fashion. This was how David felt about his turn...

Yeah, sometimes you just have to wait for another day. Which is also why the project isn't finished yet.

Soccer practice has begun for Mark and Isaac, with some slight changes in line-up since the spring.

Sometimes the kids and I eat breakfast on the back patio before the day gets too hot.

Mark and I have had many date nights (more than usual); some double dates, good food, fun movies, etc.

And we've hung out with Spencer a couple of times before he ran off to get engaged and start another semester of school. In fact, we spent one morning having a massive chili making extravaganza with Spencer, followed by a pool party with some friends. After we were done swimming, David was casually running around the living room and somehow tripped over his own feet and cracked his head on the hearth.It was pretty awful, not gonna lie.

Five stitches and a long good night's sleep later and he was perfectly fine. Little ones heal so quickly!